Nepalese Copper Repousse Image of Mahakala

Nepalese Copper Repousse Image of Mahakala, Late 19th to early 20th Century. This is Mahakala (great or beyond, time” in Sanskrit) who is the Dharmapala deity in both Buddhism and Hinduism. Such fearsome Dharmapala deities are represented in gruesome and frightening detail in standing form most often in an arch of fire. They are protective deities in both Buddhism and Hinduism. The Nepalese version of Mahakala is sometimes kinder looking than the Tibetan as with this example. Both Nepalese and Tibetan artisans utilized copper repousse for well detailed high relief compositions usually as alter adornments or masks. Mounted. H. 6" W. 4" (15.2 cm x 10.2 cm)..